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Come Out & Play On XC Skis
The key ingredients to make your first few days and winters on-
snow as enjoyable as possible.
1.) Start out by going to a groomed XC ski area.
For beginners, trying to learn on ungroomed surfaces magnifies the difficulty
of every movement. By comparison, groomed XC ski areas use machinery
and sport-specific drags to flatten and sculpt snow to be as perfect as pos-
sible on a given day for either classic or freestyle techniques. You learn faster
and with far less struggle. You have more fun. Life is good.
2.) Start by renting the right XC ski equipment.
Beginner XC skiers require a very particular type of equipment to have the
greatest success on your first few XC ski outings.
After a few days or weeks renting this beginner gear on groomed trails, you
can then graduate to the many different types of XC ski designed for all man-
ner of groomed and ungroomed scenarios our sport offers.
3.) Start with a professional lesson.
Friends and family that have XC skied in the past are wonderful tip-givers. But
when it comes to actually learning how to do the basic skills needed to XC ski,
you want to spend an hour or two with a professional instructor.
A good instructor will guide you through the basic skills quickly and with the
past experience of teaching hundreds of other beginners. If you follow our
first two tips, you’ll be learning in the perfect location…with the right gear…
and with someone trained to help you.
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4.) Start with the right technique for you.
Modern XC skiing includes both classic and skating techniques. Classic is the
centuries-old traditional motion with parallel skis sliding forward in an opposite
leg, opposite arm movement pattern. XC ski skating is a cousin of ice and in-
line skating with the poles added.
For a never-ever beginner, classic is more of a sure-fire success in the first
couple days on-snow. Learning classic skills also gives you the ability to ex-
plore ungroomed locations right away. Skating can take a full winter (or two) of
practice and will generally require a higher fitness level to start.
Note: A background in alpine skiing, ice or in-line skating can help in learning to
skate ski.
Best local resources for beginners:
Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center offers the trifecta of groomed trails, on-site rental
gear specific for the needs of beginners, and a merry band of instructors offer-
ing daily lessons nearly every day from Thanksgiving until late spring…
www.mtbachelor.com
HooDoo Nordic Trails also offers all the groomed trails, on-site rental gear, and
lessons you need. The schedule is a bit more selective so do your research
ahead of time…
www.skihoodoo.com
Meisner Nordic trails is a community project offering a
great spot to practice your beginner skills on groomed
trails…www.meissnernordic.org